Adjustable traction ankle splint



Nov. 1, 1932. c. P. JONES ADJUSTABLE TRACTION ANKLE SPLINT Filed Feb. 23, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR 6%! f. BY 16 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 1, 1932. c. P. JONES Q 1,885,448

ADJUSTABLE TRACTION ANKLE SPLINT INVENTOR, 71M

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 PATENT OFFICE CARD 1?. aoivns; OF GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA ADJUSTABLE TRACTiCN ANKLE sPLINr Application filed February 23, 1932. Serial No. 594,551.

My invention relates to surgical splints. Though useful for lower limb fractures generally, it is especially applicable for the reduction of ankle fractures and treatments.

At present in use for the reduction of fractures, there are casts and splints and added skeletal traction, that is, a pin driven through the bone, or other operative procedure, such as attaching weights by calopins or ice hooks. 'With such common practice, a setting must be perfectly made, and the cast, splints and tractions applied. If not set properly, another setting is required, or if set properly, the traction may change and the position slip.

The object of my invention is essentially to provide a splint for reducing fractures by which the fragments are held in position by traction without operative procedure, and

0 the foot adjusted to any or perfect position with the traction always existing.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts together with their several adjustments as I shall hereinafter fully describe, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown the device in its preferred form, though it is to be understood that changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings 7 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the splint.

5 Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the universal joint between the anchor bar and the carrier-member extension thereof.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a top-plan view looking down upon the top of the bracket and the footplate, from the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and 9 are views at respective right angles showing the application of the splint to the patient.

1 is a bar by which the device is anchored to the leg, above the fracture. 2 is a carrier member which in its best form is an open frame, the head of which is connected with the foot of the anchor bar by a suitable universal joint 3 of which the ball and socket type here shown is an example, said joint being controlled with respect to its rigidity and release, by a screw and nut arrangement at 4. The carrier member 2 is thus an e i tension of the anchor member 1. Mounted in the carrier frame 2 and adaptedfor vertical adjustment thereon by means of the screw 5 in the frame foot 2a, is a slide 6 having a guide 7 in which is slidably fitted the base 8 of a bracket 9 which extends from the carrier frame at right angles, and has an adjustment crosswise thereof by means of the screw 10.

In a guide channel in the top of the bracket 9 is fitted crosswise of the bracket, the foot plate 11 by means of its cross head 12 so that said foot plate is adapted for adjustment lengthwise of the bracket by means of a screw 13 carrying a nut 13a with which the cross head 12 of said plate is adapted to detachably engage. A removable bar 14 holds the foot rest 11 in the channel of the bracket, said bar being held and released by'means of the thumb screws 15, Figs. .5 and 6.

A brief recapitulation of the several adjustments herein provided may conduce to better understanding both of the structure as hereinbefore set forth, and of the manner of the application and use of the device, as hereinafter described.

There is, first, the swing, in any direction of the-whole lower part of the device with respect to the anchor bar, due to the universal joint 3. Then there is the vertical movement of the bracket 9, due to the screw 5. Then there is the movement of the bracket 9 crosswise of the carrier-frame 2, due to the screw 10. Then, finally, there is the movement of the foot plate 11 lengthwise of the bracket due to the screw 13. All of these adjust- .ments are properly controllable both. as to fixation and release.

The application of the device will now be understood by reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

' 16 is the leg of the patient, 17 the ankle joint, 18 the foot and 19 the toes. 1 00 In a cast 20 applied to the leg, ankle and foot of the patient, and subsequently cut out opposite the ankle for a purpose presently to appear is incorporated the anchor bar 1, in such position that the universal joint 3 is opposite the ankle joint and in the same plane. The universal joint is now loosened by the screw and nut assembly 4:, and the whole lower part of the device is swung away from the foot. The thumb screws 15 are then taken out, which will release the bar 1st and said bar being removed frees the foot plate 11. The latter is then lifted out from the bracket 9 and is incorporated in the cast 20 below the foot of the patient, the cross head 12 of the foot rest not being included in the cast. When the cast sets, the lower part of the device is swung about the universal joint 3, to a position in which the exposed cross head 12 of the foot plate ll can be replaced in the bracket 9, the bar it being then refitted and held by setting up the thumb screws 15, being careful to see that the cross head 12 of the foot plate detachably engages the nut 13a on the screw 13.

It will probably be necessary to either raise or lower the bracket 9, by means of the screw 5 in order to accommodate varying leg length and make easy engagement of the foot plate with the-bracket.

As heretofore referred to, the cast 20 having been cut out to expose the ankle as shown at 21, and the injured member being held under traction firmly, both sides of the fracture, it is possible with the aid of X-ray photography or the fluoroscopic screen to replace the two parts in normal relation. The patients foot may be swung from left to right (laterally) or from front to back (posteriorly or anteriorly), or twisted or rotated with respect to the leg. Adjustment to length of leg is made by the screw 5. Anterior or posterior adjustment is made by means of the screw 10. Lateral adjustment is made by means of the screw 13. The screw 5 also gives traction.

Thus the splint gives traction to offset muscular pull, without requiring operative procedure, and in its use there is no later development since it holds the parts together firmly; and, moreover, the foot can be adjusted to any perfect position while so held.

I claim l. A surgical splint comprising an anchor bar affixed to the limb above the fracture; a plate afiixed to the foot of the patient; a carrier member forming an extension of said anchor bar and connected therewith by a uni versal joint; a bracket associated with said extension member, and carrying said foot plate; means for adjusting the bracket lengthwise of the extension member; means for adjusting it crosswise thereof; and means for adjusting said foot plate upon the bracket in a direction at right angles to the crosswise adjustment of said bracket upon the extension member.

2. A surgical splint comprising an anchor bar affixed to the limb above the fracture; a carrier member forming an extension of said anchor bar and connected therewith by a universal joint; a slide fitted to the carrier member for lengthwise adjustment thereon; a bracket extending from said slide and fitted thereto for adjustment crosswise thereof; and a foot plate fitted to said bracket for adjustment in a direction at right angles to the cross-wise adjustment of the bracket upon the slide.

3. A surgical splint comprising an anchor bar afiixed to the limb above the fracture; a carrier member forming an extension of said anchor bar and connected therewith by a universal joint; a slide fitted to the carrier member; a screw for adjusting said slide lengthwise of the carrier member; a bracket fitted to the slide; a screw for adjusting the bracket crosswise of the slide; a foot plate fitted to the bracket; and a screw for adj usting the foot plate thereon at right angles to the crosswise adjustment of the bracket upon the slide.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CARL P. JONES. 

